A staff member of the Midland Health Board has been suspended pending an investigation into an alleged fraud at the board's offices in Tullamore, Co Offaly.
The Health Board confirmed in a short statement last night that the man had been suspended two days ago and that the gardai had been called in to help in the investigation.
The board is also to conduct an audit into the section where the man had been working.
The statement added that aspects of the financial relationship with the board of a non-statutory organisation, which is funded in part by the Midland Health Board, were under investigation.
The statement said the board would not be commenting further on the matter pending completion of the investigation.
It was learned last night that the amount involved in the alleged fraud is thought to be in the region of £25,000.